QB McHargue returns to lead Rice offense

Updated 4:11 pm, Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Owls fans hope a return to action by Taylor McHargue leads to a return to the win column.

Owls fans hope a return to action by Taylor McHargue leads to a return to the win column.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

QB McHargue returns to lead Rice offense

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Rice football fans frustrated by the Owls' offensive performance in Saturday's 35-14 loss to Houston have good reason to believe everything will be normal this week.

Junior quarterback Taylor McHargue is coming back. McHargue (6-1, 210) missed the game against the Cougars with a shoulder injury. Redshirt freshman Driphus Jackson made his first start.

Coach David Bailiff said all of the offense's struggles were not due to Jackson's inexperience. Still, the Owls (1-4, 0-2 Conference USA) expect to have a spark when they take on Memphis (0-4, 0-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Capable sub

Center Nate Richards said Jackson did well in his debut. But, Richards said, McHargue brings game savvy.

"Since Taylor has played a lot of games, he knows what to expect before it happens," Richards said.

Rice coaches said last week they did not expect the offense to take a step back with Jackson under center. They said they would use the same game plan as if McHargue were playing.

The offense faced more blitzes than it might normally have as UH tried to exploit Jackson's inexperience. Some of Rice's zone-blocking plays account for five defenders in addition to reading one more defender. With seven players rushing, the Cougars had an extra one Rice could not handle.

"Offensively, we did not have our best performance," Bailiff said. "We did not execute. One of the things we have done this season is execute. We left too many opportunities and points on the field."

Rice averaged 34 points in four games with McHargue as starter. The high point came Sept. 22 when McHargue led Rice to 41 points in regulation against Marshall. The Owls lost, but McHargue was named C-USA's Offensive Player of the week after passing for 316 yards and rushing for 153. He threw three TD passes and rushed for one.

Given the OK

He injured his non-throwing shoulder in the final minutes of regulation and sat out overtime.

Bailiff said McHargue was cleared to play Sunday.

"You're going to do what's best long-term for these young men," Bailiff said. "If the doctor tells you he doesn't need to play, we're not going to let him play. Also, when the doctor tells you he's good to go, we're always going to listen to the doctor."